[link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
TOP STORY: Montana state Representative Zooey Zephyr Censured
After she spent days fighting against a bill that would ban gender-affirming care and her right to speak on the floor of the Montana state legislature, state Representative Zooey Zephyr was censured yesterday afternoon [[link removed]] . Earlier in the week, protests had erupted in the chamber as the Montana House debated yet another draconian anti-trans bill. As the first out trans person elected to the state legislature and representative to 11,000 Montanans, censuring Zooey is wildly undemocratic [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Zooey’s censure comes after Oklahoma state Representative Mauree Turner’s censure in March. Rep. Turner was the first out non-binary person elected to a state legislature in U.S. history. They faced censure for sheltering a pro-trans protestor [[link removed]] as Oklahoma debated their own slate of horrific bills and have received threats since the censure [[link removed]] .
Prior and after the vote, LGBTQ+ elected officials and leaders from around the country showed their support for Zooey. U.S. Congresswoman Becca Balint of Vermont, offered her support to Zooey and called the move to censure “ hateful, transphobic, and undemocratic [[link removed]] .” All of the other LGBTQ+ members of the Montana House voted in solidarity with Zooey [[link removed]] . The Minnesota state Senators - Scott Dibble, Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten [[link removed]] – rallied from the state house. Massachusetts state Senator Julian Cyr noted the vote was due to a “transphobic panic” [[link removed]] . Florida state Senator Shevrin Jones [[link removed]] and former Florida state Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith [[link removed]] both made it clear they’re on Team Zooey. Other messages of support poured in from Cook County Board Commissioner Kevin Morrison [[link removed]] , Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack [[link removed]] , former state Representative Stephanie Byers of Kansas [[link removed]] , Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta [[link removed]] and Illinois state Representative Kelly Cassidy [[link removed]] . Thank you to all the elected officials who spoke out and continue to do so!
Victory Institute Executive Director Elliot Imse labeled the censure “destructive and absurd” [[link removed]] . Read our full statement here [[link removed]] .
Urgent Program Deadlines
Grab Your Spot Today!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Calling all LGBTQ+ leaders of color and/or trans leaders: we need diverse LGBTQ+ leaders who are ready to roll up their sleeves and defend equality. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about launching a campaign or passionate about politics, apply to be a Victory Empowerment Fellow [[link removed]] today!
To develop a lasting and diverse pipeline of LGBTQ+ leadership, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute recruits emerging LGBTQ+ leaders of color and/or trans leaders and includes complimentary attendance at Victory Institute’s Candidate & Campaign Training [[link removed]] and International LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference [[link removed]] . The fellowship connects participants to LGBTQ+ elected officials, mentors and ongoing opportunities for leadership development.
Applications are due May 8. Apply here. [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Are you an LGBTQ+ woman who has participated in a campaign training, but still has concerns about running for office? Women Out to Win [[link removed]] is an advanced campaign training for LGBTQ+ women that includes personalized coaching through mentorship and quarterly convenings to address challenges specific to women candidates, such as imposter syndrome, safety concerns and fundraising tactics. Participants will additionally receive consultation hours from LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund staff on campaigns, communications, and data management. Applications are due May 8 – click here to apply today [[link removed]] !
Courageous leaders, like Zooey Zephyr , is one of many Women Out to Win alum. We know that when LGBTQ+ women like Zooey run, they win – and they keep fighting for what’s right.
More LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About
The Good News: Pro-equality Legislation Gains Ground.
Colorado Protects Trans Kids
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a sweeping health care bill that protects trans rights, including gender-affirming care, and the right to choose [[link removed]] . This bill effectively establishes Colorado as a safe-haven state for LGBTQ+ folks in the West [[link removed]] , after neighboring states passed extreme bills restricting personal freedoms like the right to choose and gender-affirming care for trans youth.
“ The goal of the legislation is to ensure people in surrounding states and beyond can go to Colorado to have an abortion, begin puberty blockers or receive gender-affirming surgery without fear of prosecution. [[link removed]] ”
While anti-trans bills are being pushed through legislative bodies across the country, Governor Polis continues to support efforts that solidify the right to choose in Colorado.
“ The Colorado law comes as medication abortions are in limbo across the U.S. and mail-order prescriptions of a crucial abortion drug are virtually banned pending the outcome of a federal court case. [[link removed]] ”
Minnesota Established as Trans Refugee State
The Minnesota state legislature recently passed a law protecting the right to gender affirming care [[link removed]] , effectively making Minnesota another trans safe-haven state in the Midwest. This comes after neighboring states, like Iowa and North Dakota, banned gender affirming care and created a dangerous situation for trans youth. Minnesota, along with California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, and New Mexico, are leading the way for a safer and healthier future for LGBTQ+ folks.
Previously, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently signed an executive order protecting the right to gender affirming care [[link removed]] . Minnesota state Representative Leigh Finke, the first out trans person elected to the state legislature, was the guiding force behind both bills [[link removed]] . Governor Walz is now expected to sign the bill making Minnesota a trans refugee state in the upcoming week.
PA Fairness Act to Come to a Vote 22 Years Later
22 years after the anti-discrimination bill was introduced, the Pennsylvania state legislature will bring the PA Fairness Act to a vote . [penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/after-22-years-lgbtq-anti-discrimination-legislation-clears-hurdle-in-pa-house/] The fight for equality was initially led by Rep. Dan Frankel over two decades ago. Victory Institute alums state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Rep. Jessica Benham co-sponsored legislation.
The two elected officials made powerful statements after the bill was moved forward. Click here to watch Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s statement [[link removed]] and here to watch Rep. Jessica Benham’s statement [[link removed]] .
Mental Health Care Matters
U.S. Congresswoman Becca Balint introduced her first bill in the U.S. Congress addressing mental health concerns for kids. [[link removed]] Congresswoman Balint’s personal article in The Hill highlights the importance of ensuring that mental health care is accessible for young Americans. This bill will significantly support LGBTQ+ youth that have been struggling due to the increase of anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the county.
Read more of her op-ed here [[link removed]] .
We LOVE U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan!
U.S. Congressman Pocan has and continues to fight for trans youth, pushing back against the bullying trans people are facing on the national level. After calling out politicians that feed into fear and bullying trans youth, Rep. Pocan highlights that this fear is used by bigoted politicians to gain attention [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
The Kids Are Alright
Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis worked to expand Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law up to grade 12 [[link removed]] . This inhibits kids and educators from speaking about sexuality and gender identity on school grounds. Despite Governor DeSantis’ efforts to restrict personal freedoms, Florida students walked out to protest his prejudiced education policies [[link removed]] . After planning and organizing across social media platforms, students walked out of school and hosted rallies to show that young folks in Florida aren’t going to quietly sit by and let bigotry spread.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
[link removed] [[link removed]]
In February 2023, South Dakota banned gender-affirming care for youth under the age of eighteen. The onslaught of hateful legislation requires an urgent and comprehensive response, with increasing short and long-term LGBTQ+ political participation among the most impactful solutions. Increasing LGBTQ+ political participation and representation in elected government is essential to stopping anti-LGBTQ+ bills and moving equality forward for our community.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is coming to Sioux Falls on Saturday, May 20 for our free, one-day LGBTQ+ Leadership Summit [[link removed]] . Working with local partners, Victory Institute will bring together LGBTQ+ leaders and community members interested in exploring avenues to grow LGBTQ+ political participation in their states, whether by running for office, volunteering on a campaign, or building LGBTQ+ representation in political parties and organizations.
Learn more and register today at: [link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Do you want to fight for change? Are you sick of watching bigots in the Florida legislature target the LGBTQ+ community? Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, Equality Florida, and SAVE for the 2023 Orlando Candidate & Campaign Training, July 13-16 [[link removed]] . Our trainings are for any LGBTQ+ person interested in running for public office or working on a campaign, and provide comprehensive, non-partisan best practices to those who want to make a change in their community. Trainees learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign simulations and working with peers to develop a plan to run for office and win. Click here to apply [[link removed]] !
[link removed] [[link removed]]Registration is now open for our biannual LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference [[link removed]] ! Join us in Mexico City to connect with out LGBTI elected officials, advocates, public servants and allies with like-minded leaders to increase LGBTQ+ political power. This is your chance to strategize, connect with and hear from amazing out leaders from across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Expect amazing speakers, transformative workshops and more this year. Join us in Mexico City, Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Saturday, July 22, 2023! The Conference is free to all - register here! [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a global organization dedicated to elevating out LGBTQ+ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our global [[link removed]] and domestic [[link removed]] trainings, professional development programs [[link removed]] and yearly conferences [[link removed]] , Victory Institute prepares hundreds of out individuals to launch an influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. Many of our trainees join the more than 1,000 out LGBTQ+ elected and appointed officials [[link removed]] now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today! [[link removed]]
DONATE TODAY [[link removed]]
DONATE MONTHLY [[link removed]]
FOLLOW ALONG:
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268.
LGBTQ Victory Institute
1225 I Street NW, Suite 525
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States
This email was sent to [email protected]. Don't unsubscribe just yet — you can change how many & what type of emails you receive by updating your account here [[link removed]] . Unsubscribing will remove you from ALL Victory Institute email contact. If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive ANY email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .